They had been running and stumbling through the forest for what seemed like two or three hours. Holding hands for most of this time, Cal had to urge Miranda to keep moving forward. Her lungs burned and her mouth was so dry she doubted she could swallow. Stumbling yet again, she just let herself collapse.
"Cal, please. I can't take another step. Can we stop for a while?"
As he knelt beside her he told her, "Yes, I think they have given up. Since I haven't heard any sounds of pursuit for at least an hour, we are finally free of them."
As they caught their breath Cal stayed alert for the sounds of their pursuers. There was a large thicket of dense scrub to their right and from deep within he heard the sound of wood snapping. Rising slowly, he silently he drew his gun, and turning he put his finger to his lips telling Miranda to keep still. As he moved toward the thicket he could hear another dry twig snap. He was relieved to see a deer wander into view and then another followed. Walking toward Miranda he her heard her start to laugh, which in turn made the deer stop, and with a look of surprise, dove into the forest.
Seeing the merriment on her lips, he realized again how lovely she was. Her lithe body was tall but her voluptuous curves made her every man's dream. Dark hair and green eyes that seemed to darken when she was angry. The green eyes and her temper came from some gypsy blood a few generations ago. Smiling he swept her high into his arms as he did so his hand brushed against her breast, stopping the giggle in her throat. She looked at him still smiling, breathing a little to hard as her breast heaved with the shock and surprise, at the feeling it had stirred within her. Cal kissed her as he walked along, a strong heady kiss which she had no hesitation of returning three fold. As they walked she rested her head on his chest. They felt safe for the first time in an age. He stopped, putting her down.
There was a large pond of clean clear water in front of them with a small waterfall gurgling. Thirsty and hot from their ordeal, Cal knelt to take well earned drink. The water was cool and felt good as it slid down his parched throat.
"Cal, you smell like a wet goat. You need a bath." he heard her laugh from behind him. Suddenly he felt a coldness cover his body as Miranda pushed him into the water. He came up gasping for air "Hey!" he cried. As he hauled himself out of the water he noticed she had disappeared. Stopping to listen for her, he found she was giggling behind a gorse bush. After he had crept up behind her, he grabbed her and held her.
"Cal! Put me down!" she squealed as she twisted and turned, but he had her now. He gathered her up, as she kicked and laughed. "As he walked toward the water she shrieked, "Don't you dare! This is all I have to wear!" As she struggled, he marched to the waters edge.
"Yes with all that running it needs a wash" he laughed as he dropped her into the cold, clear water.